Pandemic Reflections - Rhonda McLean

Meet Rhonda. Rhonda is one of Enrollment Advisors at UWinnipeg PACE. She’s one of the friendly team who fields questions from prospective students, helping them take the next step in their educational journeys. Rhonda is also an alumna of our Project Management Diploma. We asked her to reflect on she found her PACE and how she’s coping with the pandemic.

“I found myself at a crossroad with my career. I was working for a successful mechanical contractor, in a position I enjoyed, with a team that I adored. But still, there was something that was missing. I wasn’t fulfilled, I wanted to move up within the company, but wasn’t able to, with the credentials I possessed at the time. I felt a major shift coming on and it was time to take control of my future.

What credentials do I need? Am I crazy to leave this position? I am comfortable; I knew what each day of my life will look like, but I was yearning for change. I envisioned a better life for myself and my son. I had hoped to return to school, but at my age, I felt a huge element of risk. Thankfully, my drive and determination motivated me to take the necessary steps towards a new career. I needed to pursue higher education with a program that would provide me with the necessary skills and credentials to make this goal a reality.

I was looking for a specialized program that would provide me with tangible and practical skills. I had many years of experience and as a result, had developed strong interpersonal skills. After researching educational programs, I came across PACE. I loved the programs, including the associate memberships, the student’s success stories and the length of the program. I left my position in June and by September, I had started the Project Management Diploma program at PACE.

Immediately, I recognized that PACE is dynamic and diverse and offered many different opportunities, unique to other post-secondary institutions. I was excited to embark on this journey and I embraced the entire experience with everything that I had. This was my time to focus on gaining an invaluable education.

After completing the program in 2016, my Program Manager encouraged me to apply to a vacant position at PACE. I was surprised and shocked, to be honest, but she told me that my hard work throughout the program was recognized and that I would be a great fit on the PACE team. I had a tremendously positive experience in the program and was so impressed with the PACE staff, I jumped at the opportunity to apply and ended up in my current position.

Today, I am an Enrollment Advisor with the recruitment team and I couldn’t be happier. As a people-person, I get to meet and talk with prospective students from all over the world and assist them on finding their path to PACE, which is rewarding and fulfilling; Just what I was looking for in a career!

My journey to finding my PACE reminds me of a quote from a book: “Sometimes when things are falling apart, they just might be falling into place”.

As I reflect on my personal experience with the pandemic, I have mixed feelings. In the beginning, I was filled with the uncertainly of not knowing what to expect from one day to the next. This was quickly followed by feelings of grief and a sense of loss, losing the ability to connect with students in-person, engage in my workout routine and home-school my child. At times, it was out of control.

After the wave of emotions, I recognized the importance of not just existing in the pandemic, but the need to THRIVE and focus on the positive experiences. The management team at PACE acted quickly and ensured staff was set up to continue working without disruption. I am so grateful for the relationships that I have developed at PACE; we are a very close and connected team and by the following Friday, I was hosting a virtual happy hour which has become a weekly ritual.

My son and I soon found our flow by creating a realistic schedule that made sense for our little family. We have been spending quality time together and I am teaching my son valuable life skills such as optimism and resilience in uncertain times. We are focusing on our health and well-being, taking the time to do virtual workouts, bike rides long walk and now have the time to focus on proper nutrition. I feel blessed to live in Canada and to work for an employer who has our best interest at heart.”